Protective circuit module and secondary battery pack including the same

ABSTRACT

A protective circuit module including: an insulating substrate including a plurality of layers; first and second printed circuit patterns disposed between the plurality of layers of the insulating substrate; a loop antenna electrically coupled to the first printed circuit pattern; and a wireless charging portion spaced apart from the loop antenna and electrically coupled to the second printed circuit pattern, wherein ends of the loop antenna and ends of the wireless charging portion are between the plurality of layers of the insulating substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/220,566 filed on Aug. 29, 2011, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/246,763, filed Oct. 7, 2008, whichclaims priority to and the benefit of Korean Application No.2007-109726, filed Oct. 30, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the entire disclosures of all three of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective circuit moduleand a secondary battery pack including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Compact and light-weight mobile electric/electronic devices, such ascellular phones, notebook computers, and camcorders are currently beingactively developed and produced. Such mobile electric/electronic deviceshave a battery pack mounted therein for portable operation. The batterypack includes a secondary battery that is capable of being recharged.Typical secondary batteries include Ni—Cd batteries, Ni-MH batteries, Libatteries, and Li-ion batteries. A Li-ion secondary battery has anoperation voltage that is three times higher than that of a Ni—Cdbattery or a Ni-MH battery. Further, a Li-ion secondary battery has ahigher energy density per unit weight.

A secondary battery is electrically connected to a protective circuitmodule that controls the charging/discharging of the secondary batteryand cuts of current flow when the secondary battery is overheated orexperiences an over-current. Further, such a protective circuit modulecan include a loop antenna that is soldered thereto, so that it canperform an RFID function.

At this time, a problem may occur when a secondary battery that ismanufactured with an injection molding material in a pack shape issoldered to a loop antenna. In particular, the coupling between theprotective circuit module and the loop antenna can be deficient, whichcan lead to an increase in contact resistance.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a secondary batterypack having an improved coupling between a printed circuit pattern and aloop antenna.

According to aspects of the present invention, a protective circuitmodule includes: an insulating substrate; a printed circuit patternformed on/in the substrate; and a loop antenna connected electrically tothe printed circuit pattern.

According to aspects of the present invention, provided is a protectivecircuit module including: a printed circuit pattern; acharging/discharging terminal mounted on the insulating substrate andelectrically connected to the printed circuit pattern; a protectioncircuit part mounted on the insulating substrate and electricallyconnected to the printed circuit pattern; and a loop antennaelectrically connected to the printed circuit pattern.

According to aspects of the present invention, provided is a secondarybattery pack, comprising: the protective circuit module; a secondarybattery electrically connected to a charging/discharging path of theprotective circuit module; and a coupling member to couple the loopantenna to the secondary battery.

According to aspects of the present invention, the secondary battery maybe a can-type or a pouch-type secondary battery. The secondary batterymay be coupled with the loop antenna, using an adhesive or a couplingmember.

According to aspects of the present invention, the loop antenna may becoupled to the printed circuit pattern, by inserting the loop antennaamong a plurality of layers formed on the insulating substrate.

According to aspects of the present invention, the loop antenna may becoupled to a portion of the printed circuit pattern that protrudes fromthe insulating substrate.

According to aspects of the present invention, the loop antenna may bean RFID antenna. The loop antenna may include a conductive copper film,or a conductive wire, that is electrically connected to the printedcircuit pattern. The wire or film may be coated with an insulator. Theinsulator may be an insulating film.

According to aspects of the present invention, the loop antenna may beformed as a continuous loop, which can have various shapes.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forthin part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a protectivecircuit module includes: an insulating substrate including a pluralityof layers; first and second printed circuit patterns disposed betweenthe plurality of layers of the insulating substrate; a loop antennaelectrically coupled to the first printed circuit pattern; and awireless charging portion spaced apart from the loop antenna andelectrically coupled to the second printed circuit pattern, wherein endsof the loop antenna and ends of the wireless charging portion arebetween the plurality of layers of the insulating substrate.

The wireless charging portion may include a conductive coil.

The loop antenna and the wireless charging portion may be located on thefirst and second insulation films, respectively.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on a lowersurface of the first insulation film.

The second insulation film may be located on an upper surface of theloop antenna.

The protective circuit module may further include a conductive patternlocated at a region of the first or second insulation film between theloop antenna and the wireless charging portion.

The loop antenna and the wireless charging portion may be located on oneof the first and second insulation films.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on the uppersurface of the loop antenna and a third insulation film is located belowthe ends of the wireless charging portion.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on the uppersurface of the loop antenna and an insulation film may be located onlower surfaces of the ends of the wireless charging portion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a secondarybattery pack includes: a protective circuit module including: aninsulating substrate including a plurality of layers; first and secondprinted circuit patterns disposed between the plurality of layers of theinsulating substrate; a charging/discharging terminal mounted on theinsulating substrate and electrically coupled to the first and secondprinted circuit patterns; a protection circuit part mounted on theinsulating substrate and electrically coupled to the first and secondprinted circuit patterns; a loop antenna electrically coupled to thefirst printed circuit pattern; and a wireless charging portion spacedapart from the loop antenna and electrically coupled to the secondprinted circuit pattern; a secondary battery electrically coupled to theprotection circuit module; and a coupling member coupling the loopantenna and the wireless charging portion to the secondary battery,wherein ends of the loop antenna and ends of the wireless chargingportion are between the plurality of layers of the insulating substrateand connected to the first and second printed circuit patterns.

The wireless charging portion may include a conductive coil.

The loop antenna and the wireless charging portion may be located onfirst and second insulation films, respectively.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on a lowersurface of the first insulation film.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on an uppersurface of the second insulation film of the loop antenna.

The secondary battery pack may further include a conductive patternlocated at a region of the first or second insulation film positionedbetween the loop antenna and the wireless charging portion.

The loop antenna and the wireless charging portion may be located on oneof the first and second insulation films.

The ends of the wireless charging portion may be located on the uppersurface of the loop antenna and a third insulation film may be locatedbelow the ends of the wireless charging portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a protective circuit module, inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a protective circuit module,in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the protective circuit moduleof FIG. 2A, as assembled;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery pack, inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery of FIG.3A;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery pack, inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the secondary battery pack ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a protective circuit module, inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery pack inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a protective circuit modulecoupled with a wireless charging portion of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery pack inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below, in order toexplain the aspects of the present invention, by referring to thefigures.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a protective circuit module 100, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1A. Referringto FIGS. 1A and 1B, the protective circuit module 100 includes aninsulating substrate 110 and a loop antenna 130.

The insulating substrate 110 includes a plurality of layers. As shown inFIG. 1B, the insulating substrate 110 can include an upper layer 110 a,an intermediate layer 110 b, and a lower layer 110 c. The insulatingsubstrate 110 may be formed of an epoxy or Bakelite resin, but is notlimited thereto.

A printed circuit pattern 120 can be formed in the intermediate layer110 b, or among any of the layers of the insulating substrate 110. Theprinted circuit pattern 120 can be formed of a conductive material, suchas a copper film, or the like. The printed circuit pattern 120 can alsoextend to the upper or lower surface of the insulating substrate 110, inorder to facilitate a connection to an electrical device. The printedcircuit pattern 120 is mounted in the insulating substrate 110, when theinsulating substrate 110 is formed, and is bonded to the insulatingsubstrate 110 with a strong coupling force, for example, by heating andpressing upper/lower portions of the insulating substrate 110.

The loop antenna 130 is electrically connected to the printed circuitpattern 120. The loop antenna 130 can be formed of a conductive wire, ora conductive copper film 131, but is shown as a conductive film in FIG.1A. The loop antenna 130 is inserted into the substrate 110, andelectrically connected to the printed circuit pattern 120.

Referring to FIG. 1B, ends 132 a of the loop antenna 130 are insertedbetween the layers 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c of the insulating substrate110. The ends 132 a are then electrically connected to the printedcircuit pattern 120. In particular, the ends 132 a are positioned on thelower layer 110 c, before the intermediate layer 110 b and upper layer110 are stacked thereon and compressed. That is, the ends 132 a of theloop antenna can be integrated with the printed circuit pattern 120,when the layers 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c are pressed together.

The coupling of the loop antenna 130 and the printed circuit pattern 120can be strengthened, by disposing the coupling between the layers 110 a,110 b, and 110 c of the insulating substrate 110. Further, since theends 132 a of the loop antenna 130 are disposed within the insulatingsubstrate 110, interference, due to current flowing on the upper/lowersurfaces of the insulating substrate 110, can be reduced. Further,because a soldering process is not used to couple the loop antenna 130to a surface of the insulating substrate 110, the processing timethereof, can be reduced.

The loop antenna 130 may be an RFID antenna. The loop antenna 130 can beused to transmit an RFID signal to an external device. The RFID signalmay include information relating to the type, shape, and production dateof a mobile electronic device or a secondary battery. By changing theimpedance of the loop antenna, the magnetic force of the loop antenna130 is changed. Therefore, it is possible to detect the information, bymeasuring the changed magnetic force of the loop antenna 130. However,the present invention is not limited to the RFID aspects of the loopantenna 130.

The loop antenna 130 can be formed of a conductive wire (not shown) orconductive copper film 131. The path of the loop antenna 130 can bearranged in various shapes, so as to receive an RFID signal. The loopantenna 130 may have a circular shape, to increase the sensitivity andreduce the size of the loop antenna 130.

The loop antenna 130 can be coated with an insulator 132. The insulator132 can be formed of a polyethylene or polypropylene resin, however, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. The insulator 132 may be aninsulating film formed around the conductive wire or conductive copperfilm 131. The insulating film allows the loop antenna 130 to be easilyattached to the surface of an electronic device or battery pack.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a protective circuit module200, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the protective circuitmodule 200 of FIG. 2A, as assembled.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the protective circuit module 200 includesan insulating substrate 110, a printed circuit pattern 120 a, and a loopantenna 130. A detailed description of the insulating substrate 110, theprinted circuit pattern 120, and the loop antenna 130 is omitted, sincethese elements are similar to those described above.

Portions 120 a of the printed circuit pattern 120 extend out of theinsulating substrate 110. Ends 132 a of the loop antenna 130 areelectrically connected to the portions 120 a. The ends 132 a can becoupled to the portions 120 a, by soldering, resistance welding, orultrasonic welding, for example. The portions 120 a generally extend farenough, so as to overlap the ends 132 a, which can facilitate coupling.The portions 120 a can be thicker than other parts of the printedcircuit pattern 120. Therefore, the loop antenna 130 can be stronglycoupled with the printed circuit pattern 120.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery pack 300,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery 320 ofFIG. 3A. The secondary battery 320 is a can-type secondary battery;however, the present invention is not limited thereto. Referring toFIGS. 3A-3B, the secondary battery pack 300 includes a protectivecircuit module 310, the secondary battery 320, and a coupling member330.

The protective circuit module 310 includes an insulating substrate 311,a printed circuit pattern (not shown), a charging/discharging terminal313, a protection circuit part 314, and a loop antenna 130. Theinsulating substrate 311 can include a plurality of layers, as describedwith reference to FIG. 1B, and can be formed of an epoxy or Bakeliteresin. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The charging/discharging terminal 313 can be formed on the upper surfaceof the insulating substrate 311 and can be electrically connected to theprinted circuit pattern. The charging/discharging terminal 313 caninclude 3 separate terminals, as shown in FIG. 3A. Two of the terminalscan be connected to positive and negative electrodes of the secondarybattery 320, and one of the terminals can be used to detect informationabout the battery, such as a battery temperature, or a charge amount. Assuch, the charging/discharging terminal 313 can be used to electricallyconnect the secondary battery 320 to a charger (not shown) or a mobileelectronic device (not shown).

The protection circuit part 314 can include a passive element (notshown), an active element (not shown), and/or a protection circuit (notshown), and can be electrically soldered to the printed circuit pattern.The passive element may be a resistor or a condenser, and can beelectrically coupled with the printed circuit pattern, using a couplingmethod such as soldering. The passive element can filter signals, buffervoltage and current, and/or provide resistance information to thecharger or external device.

The active element can be a field effect transistor (MOSFET), or atransistor that serves as a switch for an electrical connection to theexternal device. The active element can include a parasitic diode, and avoltage, current, or temperature sensing element. A power supply elementmay be used to supply power to the protection circuit. These elementsmay be in the form of an integrated circuit. A thermal fuse, a thermalbreaker, and/or a PTC safety element may be included in the protectioncircuit part 314.

The protection circuit part 312 manages the charging/discharging of thesecondary battery 320, by detecting the charge of the secondary battery,or selecting a suitable charging scheme. The protection circuit part 312stores information on voltage, current, temperature, and/or charge ofthe secondary battery 320, and transmits this information to an theexternal device.

The secondary battery 320 may be coupled with the loop antenna 130, bythe coupling member 330. Further, a positive electrode and a negativeelectrode of the secondary battery 320 are electrically connected to theprotective circuit module 310, by a positive connector tab 315 and anegative connector tab 316. The secondary battery 320 may be a lithiumion battery, or a lithium polymer battery, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the secondary battery 320 includes an electrodeassembly 321 that is inserted into a can 322. The electrode assembly 321may be formed by stacking and spirally winding a positive electrodeplate 321 a, a negative electrode plate 321 b, and a separator 321 cdisposed therebetween. The positive electrode plate 321 a is connectedto a positive electrode tab 321 d. The negative electrode plate 321 b isconnected to a negative electrode tab 321 e. An opening of the can 322is sealed with a cap assembly 323.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the positive electrode plate 321 a includes apositive current collector that is coated with a positive activematerial. The positive active material may include lithium, a binder toenhance coherence, and a conductive material to enhance conductivity.The positive current collector is generally formed of aluminum foil. Thepositive electrode tab 321 d is attached to an uncoated portion of thepositive current collector.

The negative electrode plate 321 b includes a negative current collectorthat is coated with a negative active material. The negative activematerial may include a hard carbon such as graphite, and a binder toenhance the coherence of the negative active material. The negativecurrent collector may be formed of copper foil. The negative electrodetab 321 e is attached to an uncoated portion of the negative currentcollector.

The separator 321 c insulates the positive electrode plate 321 a fromthe negative electrode plate 321 b and is permeable to ions. Generally,the separator 321 c may be formed of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene(PP), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The separator321 c may include a polymer electrolyte.

The can 322 may be rectangular or cylindrical, in consideration of theshape of the electrode assembly 321. The can 322 houses the electrodeassembly 321 and is sealed by the cap assembly 323. Generally, the can322 may be formed of aluminum, but the present invention is not limitedthereto.

The cap assembly 323 may include a cap plate 323 a, an electrodeterminal 323 b, an insulating gasket 323 c, a terminal plate 323 d, aninsulating plate 323 e, and an insulation case 323 f. The cap plate 323a includes a safety vent 323 a 3 and seals an opening of the can 322.The cap plate includes an electrolyte injection hole 323 a 1, throughwhich an electrolyte is injected into the can 322. The electrolyteinjection hole 323 a 1 is sealed by an electrolyte injection hole cap323 a 2. The negative electrode tab 321 d is electrically connected tothe cap plate 323 a.

The electrode terminal 323 b is mounted on a center hole of the capplate 323 a and is connected electrically to the negative electrode tab321 e. The insulating gasket 323 c insulates the electrode terminal 321e from the cap plate 323 a.

The terminal plate 323 d includes a hole that helps to secure theelectrode terminal 323 b. The terminal plate 323 d may be electricallyconnected to the negative electrode tab 321 e. The insulating plate 323e insulates the terminal plate 323 d from the cap plate 323 a. Theinsulation case 323 f includes a groove and a hole, through which thepositive electrode tab 321 d and the negative electrode tab 321 eproject. The insulation case 323 f is securely mounted on the electrodeassembly 321, so as to insulate the upper surface of the electrodeassembly 321.

The insulation gasket 323 c, the insulation case 323 f, and theinsulation plate 323 e may be formed of an insulating material, such asa polypropylene resin or a polyethylene resin. The electrode terminal323 b, cap plate 323 a, and terminal plate 323 d may be formed of aconductive material, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, or anickel alloy. However, the present invention is not limited to the abovematerials.

The coupling member 330 couples the secondary battery 320 to the loopantenna 130. The coupling member 330 may be formed of a double coatedtape. The coupling member 330 may be an adhesive that is applied betweenthe secondary battery 320 and the loop antenna 130.

The coupling of the loop antenna 130 and the protective circuit module310 is enhanced, since the loop antenna 130 and the secondary battery320 are coupled using the coupling member 330. In addition, the loopantenna 130 may be inserted into the protective circuit module 310.Accordingly, when the loop antenna 130 is attached to the secondarybattery 320, an injection molding operation may be performed to furthersecure the loop antenna 130 to the secondary battery 320.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a secondary battery pack 400, inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a secondary battery 420 ofFIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4A, the secondary battery pack 400 is similarto the battery pack 300, except that the secondary battery 420 is apouch-type secondary battery, rather than a can-type secondary battery.In particular, the secondary battery 420 includes a pouch 410, anelectrode assembly 321 that is inserted into the pouch 410, a protectivecircuit module 310, and a loop antenna 130.

The electrode assembly 321 includes a positive electrode tab 321 d and anegative electrode tab 321 e, which extend through the pouch 410. Thepouch 410 may include multiple layers, such as an inner layer formed ofcast polypropylene (CPP), an intermediate layer formed of aluminum, andan outer layer formed of nylon. The pouch 410 may include a lowerportion 411 having a receiving groove 411 a to receive the electrodeassembly 321, and an upper portion 412 that is thermally adhered to thelower film 411. Insulating tapes 421 are used to insulate the positiveand negative electrode tabs 321 d and 321 e, from the intermediate layerof the pouch 410. A contact portion 411 b is formed where the upper andlower portions 412 and 411 are sealed together. Then, the contactportion 411 b is folded, to form a folded portion 413, as shown in FIG.4A.

The secondary battery pack 400 includes a coupling member 330 thatcouples the secondary battery 420 to the loop antenna 130. The couplingmember 330 may be a double coated adhesive tape or an adhesive layer.The protective circuit module 310 includes an insulating substrate 311,a printed circuit pattern (not shown), a charging/discharging terminal313, and a protection circuit part 314. The loop antenna 130 may beinserted into the protection circuit substrate 310, and may be attachedto a surface 400 a of the pouch 400. The negative electrode tab 321 dand the positive electrode tab 321 e are electrically connected to theprotective circuit module 310.

In the secondary battery pack 400, the loop antenna 130 is attached tothe surface 410 a of the pouch 420, so that its coupling force isincreased. Also, when the secondary battery pack 400 is formed byinjection molding, its structure is more flexible than that of acan-type secondary battery. Accordingly, it is possible to form abattery pack having RFID functionalities, and a changeable mountingtype.

In a protective circuit module of the present invention, a loop antennais connected to a printed circuit pattern that is disposed among layersof an insulating substrate. This structure increases the coupling forcebetween the insulating substrate and the loop antenna, thereby reducingcontact errors and preventing an increase in contact resistance.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the protective circuit module 1000 includes an insulatingsubstrate 1100, first and second printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200,a loop antenna 130 and a wireless charging portion 1400.

Like the insulating substrate 110 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, theinsulating substrate 1100 may be formed by stacking a plurality oflayers 1100 a, 1100 b and 1100 c and may be made of epoxy or Bakeliteresin based material, but embodiments of the present invention are notlimited thereto.

Like the printed circuit pattern 120 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the firstprinted circuit pattern 120 may be located between each of the pluralityof layers 1100 a, 1100 b and 1100 c of the insulating substrate 1100.

The second printed circuit pattern 1200 may be located between (oramong) layers 1100 a, 1100 b and 1100 c of the insulating substrate1100. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the secondprinted circuit pattern 1200 is spaced apart from the first printedcircuit pattern 120 between each of the plurality of layers 1100 a, 1100b and 1100 c of the insulating substrate 1100. In addition, the secondprinted circuit pattern 1200 may be formed of a conductive film, such asa copper film (or foil), or the like. In addition, the second printedcircuit pattern 1200 may be formed on upper and lower surfaces of theinsulating substrate 1100 to form a pattern for soldering an electricdevice. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second printedcircuit pattern 1200 in the form of a conductive film is mounted whilethe plurality of layers 1100 a, 1100 b and 1100 c of the insulatingsubstrate 1100 are stacked and then compressed while heat is applied tothe upper and lower surfaces of the insulating substrate 1100, therebybonding the second printed circuit pattern 1200 to the insulatingsubstrate 1100 with a strong coupling force.

Like the loop antenna shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the loop antenna 130′shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5A may be electrically connected to thefirst printed circuit pattern 120 located between each of the pluralityof layers 1100 a, 1100 b and 1100 c of the insulating substrate 1100. Inaddition, the loop antenna 130′ may be a radio frequency identification(RFID) antenna. The loop antenna 130′ may be coated on a firstinsulation film 132 to function. The first insulation film 132 is formedby coating a conductive wire or a conductive copper foil 131 in the formof a very thin film, thereby reducing a mounting volume.

The wireless charging portion 1400 is electrically connected to thesecond printed circuit pattern 1200 located between the layers 1100 a,1100 b and 1100 c of the insulating substrate 1100. The wirelesscharging portion 1400 may include a conductive coil 1410 and may besurrounded by the loop antenna 130′. The wireless charging portion 1400generates RF alternating current induced according to the magnetic fluxlinkage generated from a primary coil located at a charging terminal ofan external charger. An electrical connection between the wirelesscharging portion 1400 and the second printed circuit pattern 1200 may beachieved by coupling (or compressing) the wireless charging portion 1400to the second printed circuit pattern 1200. In addition, ends of thewireless charging portion 1400 (e.g., ends of the conductive coil 1410)are electrically connected to the second printed circuit pattern 1200.

The wireless charging portion 1400 may be coated with a secondinsulation film 1420 to function as an insulator. In one embodiment, thesecond insulation film 1420 is formed by coating a conductive wire or aconductive copper foil 131 in the form of a very thin film, therebyreducing a mounting volume.

The first and second insulation films 132 and 1420 may be formed of apolyethylene or polypropylene resin, however, embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited thereto. In addition, the first and secondinsulation films 132 and 1420 may be formed of different (e.g.,separate) films or a single film.

In embodiments in which the first and second insulation films 132 and1420 are formed of different films, the ends of the wireless chargingportion 1400 are positioned on the lower surface of the first insulationfilm 132 formed on a lower surface of the loop antenna 130′. In otherwords, in order to prevent or reduce the risk that the ends of thewireless charging portion 1400 and the loop antenna 130′ from contactingand interfering each other, the ends of the wireless charging portion1400 may be disposed to pass the lower surface of the loop antenna 130′.Alternatively, the second insulation film 1420 formed below the ends ofthe wireless charging portion 1400 may be disposed to pass an uppersurface of the loop antenna 130′ (e.g., the second insulation film 1420may be between the ends of the wireless charging portion 1400 and theloop antenna 130′).

In embodiments in which the first and second insulation films 132 and1420 are formed of a single film, the ends of the wireless chargingportion 1400 are positioned on the upper portion of the loop antenna130′, and a separate, third insulation film may be formed below the endsof the wireless charging portion 1400. In other words, the separatethird insulation film may further be interposed between the ends of thewireless charging portion 1400 and the loop antenna 130′ to beelectrically insulated from each other.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the secondary battery pack 2000 according tostill another embodiment of the present invention using the protectivecircuit module may include a protective circuit module 2310, a can-typesecondary battery 320, and a coupling member 330.

The protective circuit module 2310 includes an insulating substrate1100, first and second printed circuit patterns, a charging/dischargingterminal 2313, a protection circuit part 2314, a loop antenna 130′, anda wireless charging portion 1400.

Like the insulating substrate shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the insulatingsubstrate 1100 may be formed by stacking a plurality of layers.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first andsecond printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200 may be located between (oramong) the plurality of layers of the insulating substrate 1100. Inaddition, the first and second printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200 maybe formed on upper and lower surfaces of the insulating substrate 1100and electrically connected to each other. In other words, the first andsecond printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200 can be bonded to the loopantenna 130′ and the wireless charging portion 1400 with a strongcoupling force and can form paths to which multiple electrical devicesare electrically connected.

The charging/discharging terminal 2313 may be formed on the uppersurface of the insulating substrate 1100 and may be electricallyconnected to the first and second printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200.The charging/discharging terminal 2313 may have four terminal surfaces.In one embodiment, two of the four terminal surfaces are respectivelyconnected to positive and negative electrodes of the can-type secondarybattery 320 and the other two may be used as a connection terminal and aground terminal to sense information and temperature of battery.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the protectioncircuit part 2314 may include a passive element, an active element, anda protection circuit and may be electrically connected (e.g., soldered)to the first and second printed circuit patterns 120 and 1200. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 7, the protection circuit part 2314 mayinclude a rectifier portion 2314 a and a constant voltage/constantcurrent controller 2314 b and may supply a charging voltage transmittedthrough the external charger 1500 to the can-type secondary battery 322.The rectifier portion 2314 a converts the RF alternating current (AC)induced according to the magnetic flux linkage generated from theprimary coil formed at the charging terminal of the external charger1500 into direct current (DC) after receiving the RF alternating currentfrom a secondary coil (e.g., the wireless charging portion 1400, whichincludes the conductive coil 1410). The constant voltage/constantcurrent controller 2314 b applies the direct current rectified by therectifier portion 2314 a to a battery cell B of the can-type secondarybattery 322. In addition, the protection circuit part 2314 furtherincludes a controller 2314 c configured to control the operation of therectifier portion 2314 a. In other words, the controller 2314 c maycontrol the operation of the rectifier portion 2314 a by turning therectifier portion 2314 a on/off based on the information associated with(e.g., received from) the external charger 1500 identified by the RFIDantenna 130′ when the RFID antenna of the loop antenna 130′ and theexternal charger 1500 contact or are in proximity with each other.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the loop antenna130′ is electrically connected to the first printed circuit pattern 120located between the plurality of layers of the insulating substrate1100. When the loop antenna 130′ makes contact (or comes into proximity)with the external charger 1500, it receives the information associatedwith the external charger 1500. The loop antenna 130′ transmits thereceived information to the controller 2314 c and the controller 2314 ccontrols the operation of the rectifier portion 2314 a (e.g., inaccordance with the received information), thereby allowing the wirelesscharging portion 1400 to perform charging. For example, the controller2314 c may turn on the rectifier portion 2314 a when an authorizedexternal charger 1500 is detected and to turn off the rectifier portion2314 a when no authorized external charger 1500 (or an unauthorizedexternal charger) is detected.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the wirelesscharging portion 1400 is electrically connected to the second printedcircuit pattern 1200 located between the plurality of layers of theinsulating substrate 1100.

In addition, there is a possibility of interference (e.g., electricalinterference) due to current flow at an interface area between thewireless charging portion 1400 and the loop antenna 130′ surrounding thewireless charging portion 1400. According to one embodiment of thepresent invention, in order to prevent (or reduce) interferenceoccurring between the wireless charging portion 1400 and the loopantenna 130′, as shown in FIG. 8, a conductive pattern 1430 may belocated on the first insulation film 132 and/or the second insulationfilm 1420 located at the interface area (or region or boundary) betweenthe wireless charging portion 1400 and the loop antenna 130′. Theconductive pattern 1430 may be formed by coating a conductive materialhaving a thickness (e.g., a predetermined thickness) on the firstinsulation film 132 and/or the second insulation film 1420, butembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Theconductive pattern 1430 may be electrically insulated from the loopantenna 130′ and/or the wireless charging portion 1400 and may begrounded so as to reduce or minimize interference of electromagneticwaves.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, according to oneembodiment of the present invention, the can-type secondary battery 320is rechargeable and coupled to the loop antenna 130′ and the wirelesscharging portion 1400 by the coupling member 330. In addition, thepositive and negative electrodes of the can-type secondary battery 320are electrically connected to the protective circuit module 2310 bypositive and negative lead tabs 315 and 316.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the coupling member 330 couples the can-type secondarybattery 320 to the loop antenna 130″ and the wireless charging portion1400. Here, the coupling member 330 may be formed of a double coated (ordouble-sided) tape to bond the loop antenna 130″ and the wirelesscharging portion 1400 to the can-type secondary battery 320. Inaddition, an adhesive may be applied to a wide surface of the can-typesecondary battery 320 and the loop antenna 130″ and the wirelesscharging portion 1400 may then be bonded to couple the same to thecan-type secondary battery 320.

The secondary battery 300 may provide enhanced coupling of the loopantenna 130″, the wireless charging portion 1400, and the can-typesecondary battery 320, because the loop antenna 130″ and the wirelesscharging portion 1400 are inserted into a thickness portion of theprotective circuit module 2310 while the loop antenna 130″, the wirelesscharging portion 1400, and the can-type secondary battery 320 arecoupled together by the coupling member 330. Therefore, the loop antenna130″ and the wireless charging portion 1400 are attached to the widesurface of the can-type secondary battery 320 and then embedded (e.g.,during manufacturing) in an injection molding material or other couplingmember in a pack shape, thereby achieving secure coupling of the loopantenna 130″ and the wireless charging portion 1400 to the strength ofthe can-type secondary battery 320 in a metal can. In addition, the loopantenna 130″ and the wireless charging portion 1400 are both mounted inthe can-type secondary battery, thereby providing wireless charging inan optimal state of battery.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes may be made in these embodiments, without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which isdefined in the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective circuit module comprising: aninsulating substrate comprising a plurality of layers; first and secondprinted circuit patterns disposed between the plurality of layers of theinsulating substrate; a loop antenna electrically coupled to the firstprinted circuit pattern; and a wireless charging portion spaced apartfrom the loop antenna and electrically coupled to the second printedcircuit pattern, wherein ends of the loop antenna and ends of thewireless charging portion are between the plurality of layers of theinsulating substrate.
 2. The protective circuit module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the wireless charging portion comprises a conductivecoil.
 3. The protective circuit module as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe loop antenna and the wireless charging portion are located on thefirst and second insulation films, respectively.
 4. The protectivecircuit module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ends of the wirelesscharging portion are located on a lower surface of the first insulationfilm.
 5. The protective circuit module as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe second insulation film is located on an upper surface of the loopantenna.
 6. The protective circuit module as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising a conductive pattern located at a region of the first orsecond insulation film between the loop antenna and the wirelesscharging portion.
 7. The protective circuit module as claimed in claim1, wherein the loop antenna and the wireless charging portion arelocated on one of the first and second insulation films.
 8. Theprotective circuit module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ends of thewireless charging portion are located on the upper surface of the loopantenna and a third insulation film is located below the ends of thewireless charging portion.
 9. The protective circuit module as claimedin claim 8, wherein the ends of the wireless charging portion arelocated on the upper surface of the loop antenna and an insulation filmis located on lower surfaces of the ends of the wireless chargingportion.
 10. A secondary battery pack, comprising: a protective circuitmodule comprising: an insulating substrate comprising a plurality oflayers; first and second printed circuit patterns disposed between theplurality of layers of the insulating substrate; a charging/dischargingterminal mounted on the insulating substrate and electrically coupled tothe first and second printed circuit patterns; a protection circuit partmounted on the insulating substrate and electrically coupled to thefirst and second printed circuit patterns; a loop antenna electricallycoupled to the first printed circuit pattern; and a wireless chargingportion spaced apart from the loop antenna and electrically coupled tothe second printed circuit pattern; a secondary battery electricallycoupled to the protection circuit module; and a coupling member couplingthe loop antenna and the wireless charging portion to the secondarybattery, wherein ends of the loop antenna and ends of the wirelesscharging portion are between the plurality of layers of the insulatingsubstrate and connected to the first and second printed circuitpatterns.
 11. The secondary battery pack as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe wireless charging portion comprises a conductive coil.
 12. Thesecondary battery pack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the loop antennaand the wireless charging portion are located on first and secondinsulation films, respectively.
 13. The secondary battery pack asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the ends of the wireless charging portionare located on a lower surface of the first insulation film.
 14. Thesecondary battery pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ends of thewireless charging portion are located on an upper surface of the secondinsulation film of the loop antenna.
 15. The secondary battery pack asclaimed in claim 12, further comprising a conductive pattern located ata region of the first or second insulation film positioned between theloop antenna and the wireless charging portion.
 16. The secondarybattery pack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the loop antenna and thewireless charging portion are located on one of the first and secondinsulation films.
 17. The secondary battery pack as claimed in claim 16,wherein the ends of the wireless charging portion are located on theupper surface of the loop antenna and a third insulation film is locatedbelow the ends of the wireless charging portion.